PC126-612 - Expository Preaching: An Introduction

  • 2,940 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 6
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • Pastoral & Church-Focussed Ministry Unit Discipline

Prerequisites

This unit may only be undertaken by students enrolled in the Bachelor of Divinity

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of expository preaching, including the methods and standards of professional, safe, and ethical practice. 

B. Be able to

1. Assess the biblical and theological foundations for expository preaching. 

2. Prepare an expository sermon. 

3. Critically Reflect on current scholarship regarding expository preaching. 

C. Be in a position to

1. Apply perspectives and skills from current scholarship regarding ‘Expository Preaching to ministry contexts 

Content

SECTION A: Introduction to the Theology of Preaching (three weeks online)
1. Identification of key issues and concerns in contemporary preaching; evaluation of various homiletic approaches that have emerged in recent years.
2. Consideration of the unique power, authority and function of preaching, including a biblical-theological study of the Word, the biblical role of the herald, and the work of the Holy Spirit in preaching.
3. Identification of the aims and purposes of a preaching ministry; the relationship of preaching to other ministries of the Word.
4. Consideration of the preacher’s spiritual qualifications; the inward and external calls to ministry; the interface between a preacher’s personal spiritual life and public ministry; the preacher’s ongoing spiritual development and maturity.
5. Reflections on the history of preaching; consideration of the preaching methods and effectiveness of a few notable preachers, particularly from the Reformation to the present.


SECTION B: Steps in the Preparation of Expository Sermons
6. An overview of the preacher’s exegetical work, including text choice, study of the literary, historical, and cultural context of a passage, text analysis, identification of the original purpose of the text, use of commentaries, etc.
7. Consideration of key hermeneutical issues in preaching, with special attention to redemptive-historical and Christ-centred preaching; consideration of how to draw appropriate lines of application.
8. Detailed instruction on the preacher’s homiletical work, including the formulation of propositions; the need for unity; outlines and sermon structures; types of argument; introductions and conclusions; illustrations; application; transitions, etc. Practice in producing sermon outlines on assigned texts.


SECTION C: Delivery and Communication
9. Consideration of various preaching styles, pulpit manner and modes of delivery.
10. Public speaking, voice production, gesture, rapport etc.; exercises in public reading and speaking.
11. The place of audience analysis in preaching; communicating in various contexts, with particular reference to preaching in a post-modern cultural context.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Although there is no single text for his unit, the following books will be referred to frequently:


Capill, Murray. The Heart is the Target: Preaching Practical Application from Every Text. Philipsburg: P&R, 2014.
Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994. (esp chaps 1-4, 10-13 for Christ-centered and redemptive preaching. The rest of the book is a more detailed methodology of preaching).
Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism. London: Hodder and Stoughton; Viking, 2015.
Robinson, Haddon. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages (third edition). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014. NB Second edition (2001) is also fine.


Other Highly Recommended Books:
Adam, Peter. Speaking God’s Words: A Practical Theology of Expository Preaching. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1996.
Chapman, John, Setting Hearts on Fire, Kingsford, Australia: Matthias Media, 1999.
Beeke, Joel. Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God's Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His People. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2018.
Johnson, Dennis E, Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from all the Scriptures. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2007.
Kim, Julius J. Preaching the Whole Counsel of God: Design and Deliver Gospel-centered Sermons. Grand Raids: Zondervan, 2015.
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Preaching and Preachers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971. (esp. chaps 1, 3, 4, 5, 16 for theology of preaching, but the whole book is very worthwhile)
Logan, Samuel T., ed. The Preacher and Preaching: Reviving the Art in the Twentieth Century. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1986.
Millar, Gary and Phil Campbell. Saving Eutychus: How to preach God’s word and keep people awake. Kingsford, NSW: Matthias Media, 2013
Olyott, Stuart. Preaching – Pure and Simple. Wales: Bryntirion Press, 2005
Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.
Stott, John R. W. Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.


Classics:
Bridges, Charles. The Christian Ministry, with an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency. 1830. Repr. London: Banner of Truth, 1959.
Brooks, Phillips, Lectures on Preaching. London: H R Allenson Ltd., 1877.
Dabney, R. L. Sacred Rhetoric, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1979 (reprint of 1870 edition).
Perkins, William, The Art of Prophesying, with The Call of the Ministry. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1996 (reprint).
Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972 (reprint).

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